crane



C. J. CRANE April 18, 1961 REMOTE CONTROL STRIP STAMP DISPENSING DEVICE Filed April 18, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR CARL J.CRANE.

jwfijiw ATTORNEY c. J. CRANE 2,980,307

REMOTE CONTROL STRIP STAMP DISPENSING DEVICE April 18, 1961 INVENTOR Irmrmrwmfmr w L n CARL J. CRANE April 18, 1961 c. J. CRANE 2,980,307

REMOTE CONTROL STRIP STAMP DISPENSING DEVICE Filed April 18, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVEN TOR. CARL J.CRANE any practical length.

United States Patent 7 V REMOTE CONTROL STRIP STAMP DISPENSING DEVICE Carl J. Crane, Helote's, TEX. assignor to Charles M. Masser and Britt Moore, both of San Antonio, Tex.

Filed Apr. 18, 1960, Ser. No. 22,961 Claims. or. 226-135) This invention relates to a mechanism for dispensing sheets of strip material and more particularly to a device for dispensing stamps, tickets or other items that may be printed on long strips of paper whose operation may be" controlled from a remote point.

This invention is an improvement on the Strip Stamp Dispensing Device disclosed in the application of Britt Moore and Carl J. Crane, Ser. No. 843,134, filed Septem ber 29, 1959; now abandoned.

Many dilferent types of stamp dispensing or ticket dispensing mechanisms have been designed and built. In general, the primary aim of all such mechanisms is to provide a controlled drive mechanism that will move the desired number of units to a given cut-elf point so that the separate units, whether they are tickets, stamps or other similar items may be presented to a customer or other person utilizing said units.

While the mechanism described in this invention may be used to dispense admission tickets and the like, the present invention has been particularly designed to dispense merchandise stamps of the type noW distributed by many stores as a bonus or participation dividend for customers. In accordance with the present merchandising practice where stamps of this nature are utilized, it'is customary to give the number of stamps for each purchase that corresponds to the number of basic money units that are represented by such purchase. For example, if a stamp is to be given for each dime or ten cents spent, the purchaser of a dollar item should receive ten stamps. At present the stamps used for this purpose are removed from a sheet supply of stamps by hand and presented to the customer. Through long experience, it has been found that this hand method of dispensing merchandising stamps is a very bothersome and time consuming practice.

The present invention is an improvement over all other stamp dispensing devices, in that it has the unique feature of being controlled from a remote point. In other words, the selector unit is merely connected to an actuating mechanism by an electric conduit which may have It will be understood, of course, that the remote control assembly may be mounted on the same chassis as the stamp containing device.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a stamp dispensing device whose operation may be controlled from a remote point.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a remotely controlled stamp dispensing device which will automatically dispense the required number of stamps for each purchase.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a remotely controlled 'stamp dispensing device having provision for receiving and holding a considerable number of stamps.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a remotely controlled stamp dispensing device having a first selector and drive mechanism intercon- 2,98ti,3@? Patented Apr. 38, 1 351 nected to dispense a desired number of single strip stamps and a second selector and drive mechanism adapted to dispense the required number of stamps in ten unit groups.

Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the appended description and drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the device of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the device taken along lines 2-2 of Figure 4.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic layout of the electric circuitry necessary to the operation of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a rear view fragmentary section of the device.

Figure 5 is a top view of the remote control assembly.

Figure 6 is a side view of the remote control assembly.

Figure 7 is a side view of the switching mechanism.

In the following detailed consideration of the invention only one side ofthe device will be described. Both the stamp dispensing unit which distributes stamps in accordance with dollar unit purchases and the stamp dispensing unit which distributes stampsin accordance with fraction of a dollar purchases are identical in their stamp actuating mechanism, the chief difference being in that the dollar unit dispenses a sheet of stamps consisting of.

two rows of five stamps each, for each dollar, while the fraction of a dollar side merely dispenses onestamp for each ten cents unit.

Now, turning to the drawings for an elucidation of the invention, Figure 1 discloses the instant'device with its cover removed in a fragmentary manner and is a perspective view. The device is secured to a base 11. The mechanism is mounted between upright 12 and upright 13 which are perpendicular to the base. Another perpendicular upright 14 is secured to the base and separates the stamp roll 15 containing zone from the actuating mechanism zone.

The actuating mechanism is solenoid operated. The solenoid 16 is keyed into operation from a remote station through an electric conduit 17 shown in Figure 3.

The remote station assembly, generally 13, is shown in Figures 5 and 6 about which more will be said later. Of course, it will be readily understood that the remote station assembly may be mounted on the same chassis as the stamp roll and stamp actuating mechanism.

The stamp roll ismounted on a shaft 19 which has 2 two annular slots 24 which slides into cut channels 21 in the partitioning upright 14 and in one end upright 13. A -U-shaped clip 22, having spaced cars 23 along the bottom of the connecting portion of the clip, serves to guide the unreeling of the stamp strip. A threaded rod 24 passes through suitable openings in uprights 13 and 14 and suitable openings in the spaced ears 23. The rod is secured by pin 25 and knurled knob 26. The opening in one of the ears is threaded asis' the corresponding portion of the rod 24 which passes therethrough so that the U-shaped clip may be moved horizontally thereby displacing the stamp roll and aligning it with the feedrolls.

The stamp strip 15 is run over idling roller 27 which is mounted between uprights 13 and '14. A driven spool 28 is positioned in back of and parallel to the idling roller 27 (as in Figure '4). The spool has four pairs of equally spaced pins 29A perpendicular to the periphery of the spool. The pins are spaced suitably so asto engage the perforations between thestamps thereby propelling them. The stamp strip after passing over idling roller 21 is run along the underside of spool 28 between it and three vertical guide plates 29. These guide plates are an extenion ofrod'assembly 30 (as seen in Figure 2) The. rod assembly is constructed of a number of bored annular segments between which guide plates 29 are positioned. The entire assembly is secured between uprights 13 and 14 by bolt-31. The stamp. strip is passed from the'underside of the spool 28 to the uppermostside of a the rod assembly. In order that the pinsg29 smoothly i release the stamps, additional guide plates'32 are gposi- V tioned and secured alongrod 33 .which ismountedbe tween the uprights 13 and 14; Guide plates32"'c1irve over a portion of the upper-periphery off-rod assembly; 30 and end in a depending point which islo'cated V a portion of an annular groove .33" in spool 28,'-corre- 'sponding in number to the numberv ofeguidexplates 32, thereby lifting the'onco'miug stamp' stripiaway from the spool 28Y'and directing it outthe gate. The upper portion of the 'gate consists of a cutting bar 36 having a plurality of serrations and being secured by screw 34 to a'strip'35 which is securedLto the'edges of'guide plates in order to insure a proper fit and positioning of'the perforated portion of the stamps with respect tothe tear ofi gate after each run of the; spool, the spool 28 is 'controlled by means of asprocket flange 40 which is secured tothe end ofthe spool and turns therewith. ,Flange '40 has a plurality ofi'detents 41. Inthe case of the spoolv 7 7 shown ,where ten stamps'are dispensed for each dollar, 7

r the numberof'detents requiredis two, each being- 180? r I apart.- Int/other} words; the :circumference of 'the' spools inboth instancesis a dimension. corresponding to the length of four stamps; In the centsspooljf'our detents are required since only one stamp is dispensed ,ata time.

A cain rollerfollower 42 rides on the flange and drops into'the detents. The follower is'fittedtoone end ofa rocker shaft 43 which has its other end pivotally-secured to vertical upright 13. The spring 44.. attached to the rocker shaft '43 and upright13 urges the follower 42 armature of the so1enoid'16. The pawl 65 is urged upwardly by spring 66 which has one end attached to an ear 67 on the motor housing and its other end attached to the pawl (as in Figure 2). U-shaped member 68 has its connecting portion passing through slot 70 in the pawl I 65. This member acts as a stop for'the' pawl. A star wheel 71 with ten detentsis an integral part of the ratchet wheel 64 andfrotates with it. Arocke'rjarm72 'has a roller 7 3a. atone endthereof which engages the .ear 74"secured to'the solenoid housing'16.

A conventional spring loaded ratchet type counter arrangement 80 is mounted near, the top of upright 12.

i The counter Tarmil is tripped by, rocker arm 82 which is pivoted about pin83. mounted perpendicularly. to up:

right 12; The extending arm 84 is the driven arm which engages the L-shaped driving arm 85 whi'chds mounted into shaft 61. Each rotation of shaft .61. moves the a counter one digit contacting :the ejection of ten dollar equivalent of stamps. I

-. A switch cam 90 isfixedlymoun'tedon theshaft,61 on the same side of the large gear 50 as the micro'switch 51. From Figure 7 it will be; noted that the microswitch 51 has a cam follower 91' which opens'the microswitch when'it rides into 'cam depression 92-. -The microswitch 51 is'in series with one leadito the motor [so that-when the switch is open, the motor is deenergized.

Now turning to Figures 5 and 6 for a detailed dis.-

' cussion of the remote control assembly, attention is directed in particular to Figure 6 which shows the side downwardly. From Figure 4 Vitis'seen thatthe rocker therebetween.

uprights12' and 14.;It 'endsin a slot .arrangement'45 into which a tongue 46 extends. 'Free play. isgprovided 2' Q: 43 islocated on'one side of-upright lli while the roller.

v The spool 28 has a shaft 37- whichextendslthrough Q theupright '14 into the'actuatingzone describedbetween view of the assembly with itscover-101- removed.- A' timing belt 102 ;is secured about idling pulley 103 and sprocket pulley 104. The timing belt 102 is fittedwith a plurality or, finger tabs 105. 'These tabs project through slots 106 alon'gthe upper surface of the cover 101. The slots areseparated by a strip 107 on which is imprinted by a suitable manner the numerals 1 to'10 which serve as the keyboard reference forf; dollar and dime selections. The symbol dollar sign and cent sign are marked adjacent the lamp holes .110. The pulleys are mounted on suitable axles 108 which are secured through center keel support plate109. The

between the two so that .there may, be approximately 10",;moyement, 'thus' permitting the 31300128: to accommodatetheproper stamp alignment. Tongue 46 is cone.

.nected to shaft 47 which is driven by motor 48 through V a suitable clutch mechanism. (not shown),The motor '48 is provided with an integral clutch mechanism which n frees the rotating armature as soon as poweris inter-g rupted. 'Ihe 'motor shaft has .a knurled knob 48A "by whichlthe mechanism.may be hand rotated to assist-in the threadingoperation lhe motor is gearedso that to mesh with large gear 50. Large gear 'has a micro switch 51 secured to one flat surface thereof. The other aides may extend beyond. the othersideto accommodate alike pulley arrangement for the'other timing belt. a One timing belt is for'the dollar-side andthe other 'is for the cents side; The mechanism for ea ch is identical. The timing belt 102 and its associated finger tabsfmust remain in phase with the sprocket pulley104. in order that cam lll'which is mounted on the face ofthe' sprocket pulley will properlyitime'the action of the switch 112 V The cam 111 serves adual purpose of actuating the switch 112 as wellfas holdinglthe timing belt in proper position with the shaft 47 rotates about "70 r.p.m.rtofldrivelthe' stamp spool 28 by means of shaft 37. A small gear-49 is fixed? ly mounted-concentrically on shaft; 41 and is positioned side of the gear 50 carries anonconducting tubular portion or hub 52 on which slip rings 53 and 54 are coni centrically secured; Suitable leads 55 connect the microswitch 51 through an opening in gear 50 to the slip rings 53 and 54. Suitable brushes 56 and 57 slide onthejslip A" shaft fil is. mounted concentrically with gear rings. The brushes are clamped between non-conduct- 7 ingblocks 58 which in turn are secured to upright 60 its assembly. It ismounted betweenpin bearing 62.and

adjustable pin bearing 63. 1A ratchet wheelfiiis fixedly mounted on: shaft .61. The' ratchetwheelis in operative relationship with pawles "which is also theireciprocating tab interval'opposite the selection numerals when the belt is at .rest. The spring 113, its bracket support 114 and. the lever 115 cooperate to maintain pressure of the cam follower 1-16 onto cam 111. Electric conduits 117 and 118 serve theIsWitch 112 having contacts 119 and 120. 'I'he lever115 is equipped with insulating'bushings at the vfulcrumpin 121, at the cam follower, and at the spring hole 122 in order to prevent ground-ing.

A lampyl25 is provided beneath each of windows 110 so that when motor 48-is energized, thelight is also energized. Suitable electric leads areprovided'between the remote control assemblyand thelead line to .the motor to energize both'whenmicroswitch 51 is closed.

The side of the remote control assembly shown in Figure 6 is'the cents side; 'Howeventhe other. side, as has beens'tated, is the same; Housing cover 101 is retained by screws 126; A normally closed limit switch 130 is providedproximatie. the stampfroll, shown] in Figures 2 and 3. The limit switch is made up of lever 131 havinga cam portion 132 and contacts 133 and 134 which are opened when the roll is depleted by the action of spring 135 which is secured to the base 11 and lever 136. This latter lever is coupled to the cam lever 131 by rigid shaft 137, seen in Figure 4. The parts of the switch are isolated from the rest of the device by suitably positioned insulating bushmgs.

The gear ratio of gear 49 and gear 50 is 1:5. One complete revolution of the spool 28 ejects 4 linear stamps; hence 20 linear stamps are required for a ten dollar de mand. It follows that five revolutions of the spool sane required to one revolution ofthe large gear.

In operation, the switch 112 is operated from 1 to 10 times with one hand movement. This switch operation theremote control assembly will cause the mechanism to eject from 10 tolollstamps, respectively; if the left side (dollar) timing belt is used. If 'the right side (cents) switch is actuated, from 1 to 10 stamps will'be ejected. Accordingly, if for instance, a purchase is rnade' forv a total of $4.35, this amount is entered in the remote control assembly by first placing a finger in between the finger tabs to the left of the numeral 4 on the assembly, and then pulling the tab down to the stop 14%). This will cause 40 stamps to be ejected. Then the finger is placed in between the finger tabs to the right of the numeral 3 on the assembly and by then pulling the tab down to the stop 14% three stamps will be ejected.

If the finger tab is used to enter either one dollar or one dime input, then one switching contact is made on either the dollar or the cent switch. One switching contact at switch 112 will cause the solenoid 16 to be energized once. This will operate the pawl 65 and ratchet wheel 64 to rm tate the cam 9% counter clockwise a distance equal to ,5 of a complete revolution. Immediately the switch 51 closes contacts to energize the motor 43. The motor running drives directly the stamp spool 28 which draws stamp material from the roll 15 thru the gate for a linear length of two stamps for a total of 10 stamps. At the instant this stamp material is ejected, the switch 51 contacts areopened again and the mechanism stops. The small gear 49 rotates with the motor and spool drive shaft 37. It engages the large switch gear 50 which carries the lever operated switch 51 along until its'lever cam follower 91 drops into the cam depression 92, thusly opening the switch and die-energizing the motor 48. If thetab representing ten dollars is pulled causing the switch 112 to make 10 contacts, then the solenoid 16 will function 10 times which will rotate he cam 99 one complete revolution. As the motor operates to dispense 100 stamps (20 linear) the large gear 59 and its switch will rotate as shown in Figure 3 until the large gear 5% and its integral switch 51 return to the off position shown. The lamp will light as long as the mechanism is running. If more than dollars input to the assembly is contemplated, the excess over 10 dollars such as 7 must be inserted into the assembly after the first 10 dollar run of stamps has been ejected. The warning lamp remains lighted until the mechanism stops. The switch 13! remains closed as shown in Figure 3 during all normal operation. However, this doublethrow snap switch will operate to the alternate circuit thru conductor 124- to keep the lamp 125 continuously lighted when the stmp roll is nearly depleted. The lever 131, thru its associated cam 332, operates the switch 130. The lever 131 itself bears against the stamp roll 15, being urged into contact by means of the spring 135.

A cover 139, as seen in Figures 2 and 4, provides pro tection of the device from dust and tampering, and may be locked onto the base 11 by suitable means, if desired. The window of the counter 8t faces upwardly as shown in Figure l.

it will be apparent that many changes and modifications of the several features described herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore apparent that the foregoing description is by wayof illustration of the invention. rather than limitation of the invention.

What is claimed is: v

1. In a remote controlledstarnp dispensing device having an actuated mechanism comprising a housing, a base within said housing, support members mounted on said. base, a solenoid on said base, said solenoid having a reciprocating'armature, ashaft mounted'on said support mem-, bers, a ratchet niounited on said shaft, said armature adapted to turn said ratchet, one-tenthof a revolution for each strokeof the annature as the solenoid is energized, a cam wheel having a cam depression mounted on said shaft and adapted to rotate therewith,,a'first gear mounted concentrically around said shaft having independent rotation thereaboiit, an electric switch r'n'ou'nted oii the surface of said first gear, saidl switch having a. cam, rsnawei;

adapted to ride on said can wheel, s'aid' switch being opened when'lthe cam follower rides into'said cam. deression, an electric motor, said switch, being in series with 'saidmotor, said motor driving asha ft, said shaft driv ing a second gear which is vin engagement with the first gear, said shaft also driving a stamp draw spool mounted on said support members, means for carrying a stamp roll supply and gate means associated with said draw spool through which stamps are ejected.

2. In a remote controlled strip stamp dispensing device having an actuated mechanism comprising a housing, a base within said housing, three spaced supporting up rights mounted on said base defining-an actuating zone and a stamp containing zone, said actuating zone including a solenoid, said solenoid having a reciprocating armature, a shaft mounted in said actuating zonebetween two of the uprights, a ratchet mounted on said shaft, said armature adapted to turn said ratchet one-tenth of a revolution for each stroke of the armature as the sole noid is energized, a cam wheel having a cam depression mounted on said shaft and adapted to rotate therewith, a first gear mounted concentrically around said shaft having independent rotation thereabout, an electric switch mounted on the surface of said first gear, said switch having a cam follower adapted to ride on said cam wheel, said switch being opened when the cam follower rides into said cam depression, an electric motor, said switch being in series with said motor, said motor driving a shaft, said shaft driving a second gear which is in engagement with the first gear, said shaft also driving a t stamp draw spool positioned in said stamp containing zone, means for carrying a stamp roll supply'and gate means associated with said draw spool through which stamps are ejected.

3. In a remote controlled strip stamp dispensing device having an actuated mechanism comprising a source of electric pulses, a housing, a base within said housing, three spaced supporting uprights mounted on said base defining an actuating zone and a stamp containing zone, said actuating zone including a solenoid adapted to be supplied with electric pulses from said source, said solenoid having a reciprocating armature, a shaft mounted in said actuating zone between two of the uprights, a ratchet mounted on said shaft, said armature adapted to turn said ratchet one-tenth of a revolution for each stroke of the armature as the solenoid is energized, a cam wheel having a cam depression mounted on said shaft and adapted to rotate therewith, a first gear mounted concentrically around said shaft having independent rotation thereabout, an electric switch mounted on the surface of said first gear, said switch having a cam follower adapted to ride on said cam wheel, said switch adapted to be opened when the cam follower rides into said cam depression, an electric motor, said switch being in series with electric conduits supplying said motor, said motor driving a shaft, said shaft driving a second gear which is in engagement with the first gear, the ratio of the first gear to the second gear being 5:1, said shaft also driving a stamp draw spool positioned in said seesaw .4; In a remote controlled strip stampdispensing de;

Ivice'having an; actuated mechanism comprisingja' source or; electric pulses,; a housing, a base within said housing,

enoid having a' reciproc ating armature, a shaft mounted a in said actuating zone betweenitwo of the uprights, a

fa tchet mountedon said shaft, said armature adapted to turn said ratchet one-tenth ofa revolution for each stroke having a .cam depression mountedon', said shaft and adapted toirotate therewith, a first gear mounted con- 7 centricallyaround 'said shaft having independent rotation thereabout, an electric switch mounted on the surada'pted'to ridejon said eam wheel, said switch adapted to be opened when thercam follower rides into said cam with electric conduits supplying said motor said motor driving a shaft, said shaft driving a second gear whichis in engagement with; the first gearrthe'ratio of the first gear to the second gear being 5:1 ,said shaft also driving a stamp spool positioned in said stamp containing zone, said 'stan plspooi having apircunifer'enee equalvto four r linear, stamps, means for carrying a stamp roll supply,

'gate inelans' associated with said draw spool through positioning the'spool. y

1 5; In a remote controlledstripetamp dispensing .dee

vicehaving an actuated mechanism comprising asource of electricpulses, a housing, arbase within said housing,

' 'cumference equal to four linear stampa neans for carryl V I a stamp roll supply aud'gate means associated with siaid idrawjspool through which'stamps are ejected.

three spaced supporting uprights mounted'on said base 'd fininganr actuating zone and a stamp containing zone, said actuating'zone inclu'ding a solenoidadapted' to be supplied with electric pulses from said's ource, 'saidjsolenoid' having a reciprocating armature, a shaft mounted 1 in said actuating zone between two of theuprights, a rat-.

chet mounted on said shaft, said armature adaptedto' threefspacedsupportingguprights mounted on said hasei V defining an actuating zone and ajstamp containing zone,

7 said actuating zone including a solenoid adapted to'be" supplied with electric'pulses from isa idsource, said solturnsaid ratchet one-tenth, of arevolution for each stroke of'the armature the solenoid is energized, a-

eain wheel having a cam depression mounted on said shaft and adaptedto rotate therewith, a first gearrmounted concentrically aroundsaid shaft independently thereof to give rotation thereahout, an electric switchmounted on thersurface of said first 'gear, said switch having a cam 15. V ofthe armature as thesolenoid is'energized, a cam wheel follower adapted to ride on' said cam wheel, said switch adapted to be opened, when the-cam follower rides into said cam depressiom an' electric motor,1said switch being in series withelectric conduits supplying said motor, said a motor d'riving a shaft,'said shaft driving a second gear face of said first gear, said switehthaving a cam follower depression, an electric motor, said switch being in series V a V 2,264,647 7 2,892,500 Le Baron et al. r June 30, 1959 which is in engagement with the first :gear, the ratio of the first gear to the: second gear being 5:1, said shaft also drivingra stamp spool positioned'in said stamp -containing zone, said stamp spool having a circumference equal to fourrlinear stamps, means for"carryinga stamp roll supply, gate means associated with said draw spool through which a stamp strip is ejected, means for aligning said stamp strip with said gate including pin means mounted perpendicularly'on said spool to engage the stamp strip, guide means to. feed the strip to the spool and means for positioning the spool, said source of electric pulses including'a' switch having electric contacts, a rotatable cam, a cam follower therefor, one end portion havingv means for riding said cam,'the other endportion having means to'fperiodicallyopen and closesaid contacts in response vto rotation of said cam. 7 7 References Cited in the file 'of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS stem Dec. 2,1941 

